Refuse compactor

ABSTRACT

A refuse compactor suitable for handling a large volume of refuse, such as from an apartment house, in which: a ram is driven mechanically to apply vertical, high load compaction by means of a jack screw assembly and the refuse is fed to the ram by means of a pivoting pushbar platform. Electrical circuitry actuates the machine automatically when a full load of refuse has been accumulated.

United States Patent [1 1 Hirsch Aug. 14, 1973 i 54 REFUSE COMPACTOR[75] Inventor: Stanley Hirsch, Westbury, NY.

[73] Assignee: TCI lnc., Benson, Minn.

[22] Filed: June 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.2 151,814

[52] US. Cl 100/49, 100/45, 100/52, 100/53, 100/73, 100/98, 100/99,100/139,

[51] Int. Cl B301) 15/14 [58] Field of Search 198/61; 100/45, 49,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,675,669 7/1928 Snyder100/289 X 3,693,541 9/1972 Lombard et al. 100/218 X 290,515 12/1883Battson 1001289 X 3,521,553 7/1970 Smolka et a1, 100/233 X Carter 100/52X 3,604,345 9/1971 Boje 100/289 X 3,338,385 8/1967 Sage 198/61 X1,931,488 10/1933 Deems.. 100/215 3,129,656 4/1964 Judd 100/98 R3,657,999 4/1972 White 100/192 Primary ExaminerBilly J. WilhiteAttorney-Ralph L. Duggar, Clayton R. Johnson and Nickolas E. WestmanABSTRACT A refuse compactor suitable for handling a large volume ofrefuse, such as from an apartment house, in which: a ram is drivenmechanically to apply vertical, high load compaction by means of a jackscrew assembly and the refuse is fed to the ram by means of a pivotingpushbar platform. Electrical circuitry actuates the machineautomatically when a full load of refuse has been accumulated.

9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PMENIEU W5 1 4 3 SHEEI 1 BF 4 INVENTORSTANLEY H IR SCH Ll-E FIG.4

PAIENIEU M13 1 4.975 3. 752.061

SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR STANLE Y H'IRS C H PATENTED M19 1 3. 7 52 O6 1SNEEI 3 0F 4 INVENTOR STANLEY H I R SCH I REFUSE COMPACTOR BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION Handling and disposal of household and commercial refuseis a growing problem, particularly in urban areas. Incineration isbecoming impractical as a result of its contaminating effect on theatmosphere and environment. Loose, non-compacted refuse is inconvenientto handle, expensive to transport and is rapidly filling availabledumping areas. Compacting, to reduce the bulk volume of refuse, hasbecome desirable to allow more efficient transport and disposal of suchrefuse. Thus, there is a growing need for compacting machines,particularly those which are simple and economical to build andmaintain; versatile as to the amount and type of refuse which can behandled; small enough to be installed in existing buildings withoutrequiring a prohibitively large amount of space, yet large enough tohandle the refuse volume of a muIti-level apartment building, factory,store or restaurant; and sophisticated enough to be capable of automaticoperation day or night, without the continuous attendance of maintenancepersonnel.

In general, there are two basic types of compacting machines for use inbuildings such as apartment houses. One type operates on the principleof extrusion with raw refuse entering a hopper and then coming to restin front of a hydraulically driven rain. The ram is activated tocompress the refuse into a compaction chamber. After completion of itsforward stroke, the ram is returned to its rearward position, leavingspace for new refuse to enter the cavity which is forward of the ram.With each forward stroke of the ram, more refuse is compacted into thechamber and subsequently driven out through the nozzle opening at thefront end of the machine, having been compacted in the reducing crosssection of the nozzle. The output of the machine is a continuouscylinder of compacted refuse.

A second type of compacting machine compresses the raw refuse irito achamber until it is full. A door is then opened, following which theformed slug of compacted refuse is ejected into a bag or otherreceptacle.

Since the machines described above have generally been drivenhydraulically, they have exhibited several drawbacks. Because of therequirement for motor, pump, fluid reservoir, valving, piping,filtering, temperature and pressure limitation, etc., these machines arecostly to build and maintain. Also, the presence of fluid in thereservoir, and under pressure in the lines and components tends todevelop leaks and other mechanical failures. In addition, the overallarrangement of these systems results in excessive weight and volume.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved refusecompactor. Although not limited thereto, it is particularly suitable forhandling a large volume of refuse of various types, such as the dailygarbage from the many kitchens in a multi-Ievel apartment building orfrom the kitchen of a restaurant or refuse from a store or factory,particularly those which handle food products and wrappings. The ram ofthe compactor is driven mechanically, rather than hydraulically, whichsimplifies the machinery involved and thereby reduces the size of thecompactor. The basic drive system uses a motor driven jack screwassembly which directly drives the compacting ram. The principle of thejack screw is well known High load compaction is applied vertically,ratherthan horizontally, which results in more efficient operation andavoids the tendency of other compacting machines having a horizontalstroke to accumulate bits of refuse between the ram and the side wallsof the refuse chamber. This vertical arrangement reduces the necessityfor cleaning and other maintenance costs. High load compaction isaccomplished by means of a jack screw arrangement in which the followernut isclosest to the power source of the motor at the time of heaviestload. This reduces vibration along the jack screw and binding of the ramstructure, thereby prolonging the life of the compactor. Thehigh loadcapacity allows this invention to handle the large volume of refuse froman apartment house, rather than the comparatively small volume of refusehandled by other compactors designed for use under the countcrtop in thekitchen of a dwelling.

A pushbar platform assembly is used fuse into the compaction chamber bypositive action.

This prevents refuse, such as a box or a length of wood,

compactor receives a few bits of refuse. There is also a deodorant anddisinfectant spray pump assembly which is actuated automatically and afire sprinkler with thermostatic control. I

This invention is designed to handle all types of household refuse. Itis not restricted to handling only certain types of household refuse,such as tin cans or paper towels.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved overallarrangement and drive system for a compacting machine which is lesscostly to build and less expensive and less troublesome to maintain thanpresent systems.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine which hasa high load capacity and yet occupies less floor space than existingcompactor machines.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thedrawings and description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of themachine, in one stage of operation and with part of the outer wallbroken away to reveal interior components.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine, in another stage ofoperation and with part of the outer wall broken away to reveal interiorcomponents.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of FIG. 1, with additionalparts being broken away to reveal additional interior components.

. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 44 in FIG. I and inthe direction of the arrows in FIG. I.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 in FIG. 1 and inthe direction of the arrows in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a sectional view takenalong the lines 6-6 in FIG. 3 and in the direction of the arrows in FIG.3.

to push the re- I 2 fuse compacted.

3 FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side clcvational view in the direction of thearrows 7-7 in FIG. 3.

FlG';8'is a simplified elevational view; of the machine.

"in the'same stage of operation as FIG. I.

FIG. 9 is a simplified elevational view of the machine in the same stageof operation as FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic of thecircuitry for the machine;

FIG. I! is an additional electrical schematic'of part of the circuitryin FIG. 10.

' DETAILED DESCRIPTION Mechanical Operation Referring to FIGS. 1 2 and3, the compactor consists of a hopper module, designated generally byreference number 1,-and a press module, designated generally byreference number 3. The hopper module I contains a drives a follower nut27. The follower nut 27 moves axially along stationary lead screw 25.Preferably, this ar rangement includes sets of independent rollers 28and needle bearings 30, one set of which is'shown in FIG. 3. Thisarrangement is not as susceptible to the extent of damage caused bycontaminents in ball screw arrangements. Follower nut 27 is connected toram II by 1 vertical supports 31. This embodiment uses three verticalsupports 31, most clearly shown in FIG. 6. When motor and gear reducerare energized, they drive the follower nut 27 and ram 11 upward alonglead screw 25 from the down position of the ram 11 shown in FIG. 2to'the up position of the ram shown in FIG. 1. During this upwardstroke, there is relatively low load on the machine since the drivemotor and gear reducer IS'rnust only overcome the weight of the ram 11hopper'compartment 5 and apushbar platform assem- 'bly consistingofapushbar platform 7, pushbar linkage I I 9 and deflector plate 35. Thepress module Scontains aram II, a ram chamber 13, a drivemotor and gearre- 1 "duc er IS, a jackserew assembly designated generally by referencenumber 17 and a nozzle chamber 19. Re-

fuseenters thefcompactor either through door 21 or through a chute, notshown, which is connectedto the top of 3.

the hopper module. at doors22, shown in FIG.-

and jack screw assembly :17 and the friction in the system. I a

Asthe ram 11 and jack screw assembly 17 are driven upward, the ram 11passes through the ram chamber 13 and the raising of the ram shield 43,shown in FIG. 3, exposes a passageway located on the inside wall 33common to both the ram chamber 13 and the hopper compartment 5. As aresult, loose uncompacted refuse The operation of the compactor isillustratedin sima plified form in FIGS. 8 and 9. The refuse isdeposited I in hopper compartment 5 of the hopper module 1, At

this time the pushbar platform 7 and the ram ll are,

a each in their down position, as shown in FIG; 9. When f sufficientrefuse has accumulated in the hopper compartment 5, theram 11- is raisedto its upper position,

as shriivn in FIG. 8 and the pushbar platform ,7 pivots upwardly to urgethe refuse into the ram'chamber l3. Thengduring the compaction cycle,the ram Ill is low.-

' ered to compact the refuse during the travel of the ram' 11 throughthe .ramzchamber l3 and in the nozzle .chamber 19, resulting inextrusion of throughthe nozlzle chamber [9. r

a the refuse Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, loose uncompacted rerefusestrikes the leading face 6 of pushbar platform 7 at a time when thepushbar platform 7 is in its lower position, as shown in FIG. 2, whenthe leading face 6 is approximately above the horizontal. As refuseaccumulates, it gradually reaches the level of the photosensor 23. Thephotosensor 23 is provided with' a time delay mechanism, such that itwill close a switch to ac .tuate the compaction cycle only when thelight beamis interrupted for more than a minimum of several seconds. Forthis reason, the passage of small batches of refuse through the lightbeam will not actuate the compactioncycle until a full load of refusehas accumu Iated. This achieves efficiency and economy by reducingthe-number of cycles of Compactor operation to a minimum, reducingconsumption of powenand reducwhich has accumulated in the hoppercompartment 5 with pushbar platform 7 .in the down position, as shown inFIG. 2, is allowed to spill over from the hopper compartment 5 into theram chamber l3 through this passageway. When the ram 11 and jack screwassembly 17 near the top of their stroke, the jack screw assembly 17engages the pushbarlinkage 9, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is directlyconnected to the pushbar platform 7. During the last few inches of theupward stroke of fuse entering the hopper module I passes, through the,r j light. beani'of aphotosensor 23, shown in FIG. 3. The

mg machine wear, as compared to totalvolume of rea face 10 provides aclose clearance with the lower edge the ram 11 and jack screw assembly17, the pushbar linkage 9 pivots the pushbar platform Tapproximately 60in a vertical plane on pivot point 44 from a lower position of thepushbar platform 7, as shown in FIG. 2, to an upper position of thepushbar platform 7, as

shown in FIG. 1, with the leading face 6 in a vertical position. Whenthe pushbar platform 7 pivots upwardly it pushes the refuse which hasaccumulated in the hopper compartment 5 into the ram chamber 13. Adeflector plate 35 is mounted within the hopper compartment 5 adjacentto the hollow pushbar platform 7 to deflect falling refuse on to theleading face of the pushbar platform 7, when in its lower positionasshown in FIG. 2. The pushbar platform 7 is defined by a leading face 6which is a flat surface, an arcuate face .10 having a curving surface,and structural supports for these surfaces. Inthe side view of FIGS. 1,2 and 3, the pushbar platform 7 presents a pie-shaped appearance, suchpieshape being formed by the leading face 6, the arcuate face 10 and thebottom structural supports 12. Other than structural supports 12, thebottom of the pushbar platform 7 is not enclosed. Similarly, other thanstructural supports, the pie-shaped sides'8are not enclosed. Theportions of the pushbar platform 7 "which are enclosed are theleadingface 6 and the arcuate face l0.

" Theradius of the arcuate face. 10 is equal to the length of the bottomstructural supports 12 and equal .to 'the' length of the leading face 6.The radius of the arcuate of the deflector plate 3.5. Thus, little or norefuse will be able to slip down between the arcuate face 10.0f the,pushbar platform 7 and the lower edge of the deflector plate 35 Asimilar close clearance exists between the, sides 8 of pushbar platform7 and side walls 16 of the hopper compartment, as shown in FIG. 6, thusallowing little or no refuse to slip between the sides 8 of the pushbarplatform 7 and the side walls 16 of the hopper compartment. This closeclearance between the pushbar platform 7 and the walls 16 and thedeflector plate 35 minimizes the amount of cleaning and attentionrequired by this machine.

When the ram 11 and jack screw assembly 17 reach the upper end of theirstroke, the motor and gear reducer 15 are stopped and then reversed,which starts the downward stroke of the ram 1 1. During the first fewinches of the downward stroke, the pushbar linkage 9 is again actuatedto restore the pushbar platform 7 to its lower position, as shown inFIG. 2, with the leading face 6 approximately 30 above the horizontal.Return of the pushbar platform 7 to its lower position providesadditional space for more refuse to enter the hopper compartment 5. Theram 11 and jack screw assembly 17 continue their downward movement,andram shield 43, shown in FIG. 3, closes the passageway located on thewall 33 of both the ram chamber 13 and the hopper compartment 5.

As the ram 11 moves downwardly through the ram chamber 13 it drives therefuse in the ram chamber 13 before it, pushing and compacting therefuse into the nozzle area 19, resulting in extrusion of the refusethrough the nozzle chamber 19. The ram 11 penetrates several inches intothe nozzle chamber 19, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3 an upper shearing bar 39 is mounted on the lowerface of the ram 11. A lower shearing bar 41 is mounted on the insidewall of the ram chamber. The edge of upper shearing bar 39 is pointeddownwardly and the edge of lower shearing bar 41 is pointed upwardly sothat the two shearing bars 39 and 41 cooperate to shear any refusematerial which is across the opening between the hopper compartment 5and the ram chamber '13. FIG. 3 shows the ram 11 in its upper position,but shows ram shield 43 in dotted line in its downward position coveringthe passageway located on the inside wall of both ram chamber 13 andhopper compartment 5. Ram shield 43 covers this passageway during thedownward stroke of ram 11 and exposes this passageway during the upwardstroke of ram 11 to allow refuse to pass from hopper compartment 5 intoram chamber 13.

Pushbar platform 7 provides the following advantages: It takes anaccumulation of refuse which has entered the hopper compartment 5without obstructions and pushes the refuse positively into the ramchamber 13. This positive action prevents refuse material such as a boxor length of wood 14, shown in FIG. 8, from bridging across thepassageway located on the inner wall 33 of both the ram chamber 13 andthe hopper compartment 5. In previous machines, not having such apushbar platform 7, this condition has caused the machine to cyclecontinuously without receiving or discharging refuse. The pushbarplatform 7 also provides a measure of precompaction to the system duringthe upward stroke of the ram 11 when power is not needed for compactionby the ram 11. This precompaction produces a full charge of refuse inthe ram chamber 13 and nozzle chamber 19 when compaction by the ram 11occurs later in the cycle. The pivoting movement of pushbar platform 7about pivot point 44 is accomplished by a mechanical pushbar linkage 9,without any electrical or hydraulic components.

inside walls of the hopper compartment 5. If refuse material such as abox or length of wood become lodged between an inside wall of the hoppercompartment 5 and the pushbar'platform 7 (FIG. 9), the complimentarymotions of the ram stroke and the pushbar plat form stroke willeventually dislodge the material.

To eliminate twisting moments from the ram 11, a

torsion assembly 47 may-be used as an optional feature.

The follower nut 27 of the jack screw assembly 17 is fitled with atorsion roller 49 which rides on two torsion supports 51, shown in FIGS.4 and 5. The torsion supports 51 are affixed to and integral with motorand gear reducer 15 and vertical supports 31 of the jack screw assembly17. This torsion assembly 47 balances any torsional moments which wouldotherwise be transmitted to the ram 11 and leaves the ram 11 free tomove in the ram chamber 13 with no twisting movements which would causeundue wear. This optional torsion assembly 47 may be omitted where heavyloads are not present.

The hopper module 1 and the press module 3 are both enclosed units, forsafety reasons and to prevent tampering with the machine.

Electrical Operation.

Referring to FIG. 10, three phase, 60 cycle power is applied to thecompactor by the on/off switch S1 through transformer T1. Transformer Tlhas two secondary windings. One secondary winding provides 1 15 volts.The second provides 6.3 volts. The US volts is used for all control andindication functions. The 6.3 volts is used to provide power for alllogic and sequencing functions through a regulated 5 volt dc powersupply consisting of a full wave bridge 55, filter capacitor C1, andseries regulator 212. These logic and sequencing functions are describedbelow.

The 6.3 volt input power is half wave rectified by diode CR5 andconverted into a pulse train by amplifier Q1 and resistors R1, R2 and R3and inverter ZlA. This pulse train is applied to a six bit binarycounter consisting of four bit binary counter Z2 and dual flip-flop Z3.This six bit counter provides an output frequency of 0.9375 cycles whichis used for the time controlled functions of the machine. This signal isfed to a two stage binary counter (Z6), and a twelve bit binary counter(Z4, Z5 and Z7). The twelve bit counter provides pulses at 72.8 minuteintervals, except when reset. A reset input inhibits further counting,and resets the counter to zero, thereby causing the 72.8 minute timeinterval to begin again after the reset is removed.

The reset signal is generated by the two stage counter Z6. Counter Z6 isenabled (allowed to count) by a cycle command. A cycle command signal isobtained whenever the photo detector (FIG. 11) senses a minimum refuseinput. If this input is maintained sufficiently long to allow Z6 toreceive three pulses (between 2.l3 and 3.20 seconds) the twelve bitcounter will be reset. If the cycle command does not remain long enough,counter Z6 resets to zero and remains there until the next cycle commandis received.

The outputs of both. the twelve-bit counter (Z4, Z5 and Z7) and two bitcounters Z6 are then applied to set flip-flop Z8A and Z9A which turns onrelay Kl. Contact KIA turns on the reversing contactor (RVS) 57,

T which causes the motor to drive in reverse, thereby retracting theram. The ram continues to retract until it reachesa' limit switch S7(maximum pull-back limit switch shown in FIG. IL'When switch S7 closes,the ZSA Z9A- flip-flop is reset, turning off [(1 and the reversingcontactor 57. v

Contact X18 turns on the chemical dispenser, which i sprays deodorant;insecticide or any other suitable chemical, as selected. Contact KlCturns on neon indicator DS 3 indicating the machine is compacting.Switch S6 is for manual start of the compactor.

Closing of S7 also sets a second flip-flop (Z88 and Z98), shown in FIG.10, lower left. This activates relay 7 One possibility is that the ramreaches limit switch S8 1 (maximum position limit switch). Switch S8 islocated at the point of maximum downward ram travel. It resets flip-flopZ88 and Z98, turning ofi' relay K2. The other v possibility is that theram encounters sufficient physical resistance from the refuse to causethe motor current to rise beyond the setting of the instantaneous TripCurrent Relay K4. This also resets flip-flop Z83 and 29B, turning offrelay K2.

in the event that an object in the ram chamber 13 cannot be cut by theshearing blades, the Instantaneous Trip Current Relay K4 will beactivated before the ram reaches S9. if this condition occurs, themachine cycle is reinitiated by inverter 21D and gate 28C, which sets S9closing, ZllA actuates K3, which interrupts the control power and turnson Jam lndicator DS2. Thus,

' the drive system will make three strokes to shear the object or moveit through the ram chamber 13. lf it cannot handle the object in thismanner, the machine is stopped and a jam is indicated.

Four system interlocks are provided, any one or more of which interruptscontrol power shutting down the machine when the switch is open. Theinterlocks are:

Access Door No. 1 S2; Access Door No. 2, S3; Shutoff Door, S4; and BagEnd Switch (released when no bag is available to receive refuse), S5. Z1is a hexode inverter; Z8 is a quad two input gate; and Z9 and Z]! aredual buffers.

What is claimed is:-

l. A refuse compactor comprising:

a. a press module having a vertically moving ram for applying compactingforce downwardly to the refuse, a ram chamber through which the rammoves during the compacting cycle, a drive motor assembly whichgenerates compacting force, a jack screw assembly for transmitting thecompacting force from the drive motor assembly to the ram, and a nozzlechamber into which the refuse is compacted by the ram; and r r b. a'hopper module having a hopper compartment for receiving gravity-fed;loose refuse, said hopper compartment communicating with said ramchamber by means of a passageway through which loose refuse enters theram chamber, a feed means as sembly within the hopper compartment toforcibly move the refuse into the ram chamber, and means for actuatingthe compaction cycle when a desired 7 amount of refuse has accumulatedin the compactor; V s

c. said jack screw assembly comprising:

i. a rotatable lead screw held from movement along its longitudinal axisand having its longitudinal axis in a substantially vertical position,to which torque is transmitted by said drive motor assemii. a followernut moveable vertically on said lead screw and located above said ram;and

iii. support means to connect the ram to the follower nut and maintain afixed spacial relationship between the ram and the follower nut,

2. A refuse compactor, as defined in claim 1, and further comprising atorsion assembly to eliminate twisting movement in the jack screwassembly, said torsion assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of torsion supports affixed to the jack screw assembly;and a r b. a torsion roller which is fitted to the follower nut andwhich rides on the torsion supports.

3. A refuse compactor as definedin claim 1 in which the feed meansassembly comprises: 7

a. a pushbar platform located within the hopper compartment and having aleading face, an arcuate face, the radius of which is equal to thelength of the lead face, and structural supports, all of which togetherdefine a platform which in cross-section is pie-shaped, which pushbarplatform pivots in a vertical plane between a lower position and anupper position with close clearance between the sides of the pushbarplatform and the side walls of the hopper compartment;

b. pushbar linkage connected to the pusher platform and communicatingwith the jack screw assembly to pivot the pushbar platform between itsfirst position and its second position; and

c. a deflector plate mounted within the hopper compartment, inclined tothe horizontal at approximately the. same angle as the leading face ofthe pushbar assembly when the pushbar platform is in its lower position,and having a close clearance between the lower edge of the deflectorplate and the arcuate face of the'pushbar platform.

4. A refuse compactor as defined claim 3 and further comprising anoverride spring fitted on the pushbar linkage to prevent the pushbarplatform from jamming as a result of solid refuse becoming lodge betweenthe pushbar platform and an inner side wall of the hopper compartment.

detect the du 6. A refuse compactor as defined in claim in which 8. Arefuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in which the electrical circuitryfurther comprises: the lead screw and follower nut arrangement of the a.means for reversing the rotational direction of the jack screw assemblyfurther comprises a set of independrive motor assembly when the ramreaches the dent rollers and needle bearings. lowest point in itsdownward movement during 5 9, A refuse om actor omprising; compaction;a. a press module having a vertically moving ram for b. means forstopping the drive motor assembly durapplying compacting forcedownwardly to the reing the compaction cycle when it draws more than apredetermined level of electrical current as a rephysical resistanceoffered by the refuse to the downward movement of the ram.

fuse in a compaction cycle, a ram chamber through which the ram movesduring the compaction cycle,

sult of the amount of physical resistance offered by adrive motorassembly which generates compelthe refuse to the downward movement ofthe ram; ing force a jack screw assembly f transmitting means restartingthe i assembly a the compacting force, a jack screw assembly forpredetermmed number of durmg the transmitting the compacting force fromthe drive Paction cycle after it has been stopped as a result motorassembly to the ram, and a nozzle chamber of the amount of physicalresistance offered by the mm which the refuse is compacted by the ram;refuse; and b. a hopper module having a hopper compartment d. means forshutting off the machine and indicating for receiving gravityfedy looserefuse said hopper a jammed condition after the drive motor assemblycompartment communicating with Said ram charm been. restarted aprefietermmed number of ber by means of a passageway through which loosetimes during the compaction cycle as a result of refuse enters the ramchamber, a feed means assembly within the hopper compartment to forciblymove the refuse into the ram chamber, and means 7. A refuse compactor asdefined in claim 1 in which the ram comprises:

a. a ram face on the lower horizontal side of the ram;

b. an upper shearing bar positioned horizontally with for actuating thecompaction cycle when a desired amount of refuse has accumulated in thecompactor; and

the cutting edge of the bar pointed down and mounted on the side of theram face which is closest to the hopper compartment;

. a lower shearing bar positioned horizontally with the cutting edge ofthe bar pointed up and mounted on the lower inside wall of the ramchamber which is closest to the hopper compartment, said lower shearingbar cooperating with said upper shearing bar to shear any refuse whichis across the passageway between the ram chamber and the hoppercompartment during the downward stroke of the ram; and

d. a ram shield, the lower portion of which is c. said feed meansassembly comprising:

i. a pushbar located within the hopper compartment and having a leadingface and a second face and structural supports, all of which togetherdefine a pushbar assembly, which pushbar moves between a retractedposition and a feeding position with close clearance between the sidesof the pushbar and the side walls of the hopper compartment;

ii. pushbar linkage connected to the pushbar and communicating with thejack screw assembly to move the pushbar between its retracted positionand its feeding position;

iii. said second face of said pushbar being exposed to the hopper whenthe pushbar moves between retracted and feeding positions; and

iiii. a deflector plate mounted within the hopper compartment, inclinedto the horizontal at a substantial angle, there being provided a closeclearance between the lower edge of the deflector plate and the secondface of the pushbar. I

1. A refuse compactor comprising: a. a press module having a verticallymoving ram for applying compacting force downwardly to the refuse, a ramchamber through which the ram moves during the compacting cycle, a drivemotor assembly which generates compacting force, a jack screw assemblyfor transmitting the compacting force from the drive motor assembly tothe ram, and a nozzle chamber into which the refuse is compacted by theram; and b. a hopper module having a hopper compartment for receivinggravity-fed; loose refuse, said hopper compartment communicating withsaid ram chamber by means of a passageway through which loose refuseenters the ram chamber, a feed means assembly within the hoppercompartment to forcibly move the refuse into the ram chamber, and meansfor actuating the compaction cycle when a desired amount of refuse hasaccumulated in the compactor; c. said jack screw assembly comprising: i.a rotatable lead screw held from movement along its longitudinal axisand having its longitudinal axis in a substantially vertical position,to which torque is transmitted by said drive motor assembly; ii. afollower nut moveable vertically on said lead screw and located abovesaid ram; and iii. support means to connect the ram to the follower nutand maintain a fixed spacial relationship between the ram and thefollower nut.
 2. A refuse compactor, as defined in claim 1, and furthercomprising a torsion assembly to eliminate twisting movement in the jackscrew assembly, said torsion assembly comprising: a. a plurality oftorsion supports affixed to the jack screw assembly; and b. a torsionroller which is fitted to the follower nut and which rides on thetorsion supports.
 3. A refuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in whichthe feed means assembly comprises: a. a pushbar platform located withinthe hopper compartment and having a leading face, an arcuate face, theradius of which is equal to the length of the lead face, and structuralsupports, all of which together define a platform which in cross-sectionis pie-shaped, which pushbar platform pivots in a vertical plane betweena lower position and an upper position with close clearance between thesides of the pushbar platform and the side walls of the hoppercompartment; b. pushbar linkage connected to the pusher platform andcommunicating with the jack screw assembly to pivot the pushbar platformbetween its first position and its second position; and c. a deflectorplate mounted within the hopper compartment, inclined to the horizontalat approximately the same angle as the leading face of the pushbarassembly when the pushbar platform is in its lower position, and havinga close clearance between the lower edge of the deflector plate and thearcuate face of the pushbar platform.
 4. A refuse compactor as definedclaim 3 and further comprising an override spring fitted on the pushbarlinkage to prevent the pushbar platform from jamming as a result ofsolid refuse becoming lodge between the pushbar platform and an innerside wall of the hopper compartment.
 5. A refuse compactor as define din claim 1, in which the means for actuating the compaction cyclecomprise: a. a photosensor device to generate a light beam through whichloose refuse passes prior to Being compacted; b. electrical circuitryresponsive to the photosensor device to generate a pulse train; c. aplurality of binary counters which detect the duration of the pulsetrain; and d. a drive motor which is energized when the binary counterreceives a pulse train of sufficient duration.
 6. A refuse compactor asdefined in claim 5 in which the electrical circuitry further comprises:a. means for reversing the rotational direction of the drive motorassembly when the ram reaches the lowest point in its downward movementduring compaction; b. means for stopping the drive motor assembly duringthe compaction cycle when it draws more than a predetermined level ofelectrical current as a result of the amount of physical resistanceoffered by the refuse to the downward movement of the ram; c. means forrestarting the drive motor assembly a predetermined number of timesduring the compaction cycle after it has been stopped as a result of theamount of physical resistance offered by the refuse; and d. means forshutting off the machine and indicating a jammed condition after thedrive motor assembly has been restarted a predetermined number of timesduring the compaction cycle as a result of physical resistance offeredby the refuse to the downward movement of the ram.
 7. A refuse compactoras defined in claim 1 in which the ram comprises: a. a ram face on thelower horizontal side of the ram; b. an upper shearing bar positionedhorizontally with the cutting edge of the bar pointed down and mountedon the side of the ram face which is closest to the hopper compartment;c. a lower shearing bar positioned horizontally with the cutting edge ofthe bar pointed up and mounted on the lower inside wall of the ramchamber which is closest to the hopper compartment, said lower shearingbar cooperating with said upper shearing bar to shear any refuse whichis across the passageway between the ram chamber and the hoppercompartment during the downward stroke of the ram; and d. a ram shield,the lower portion of which is mounted on the side of ram closest to thehopper compartment, the upper portion of which is mounted on the jackscrew assembly, the ram shield moving in conjunction with the ram toexpose the passageway and allow communication between the hoppercompartment and the ram chamber when the ram is in its upper positionand close the passageway when the ram is in its down position.
 8. Arefuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in which the lead screw andfollower nut arrangement of the jack screw assembly further comprises aset of independent rollers and needle bearings.
 9. A refuse compactorcomprising: a. a press module having a vertically moving ram forapplying compacting force downwardly to the refuse in a compactioncycle, a ram chamber through which the ram moves during the compactioncycle, a drive motor assembly which generates compacting force, a jackscrew assembly for transmitting the compacting force, a jack screwassembly for transmitting the compacting force from the drive motorassembly to the ram, and a nozzle chamber into which the refuse iscompacted by the ram; b. a hopper module having a hopper compartment forreceiving gravity-fed, loose refuse, said hopper compartmentcommunicating with said ram chamber by means of a passageway throughwhich loose refuse enters the ram chamber, a feed means assembly withinthe hopper compartment to forcibly move the refuse into the ram chamber,and means for actuating the compaction cycle when a desired amount ofrefuse has accumulated in the compactor; and c. said feed means assemblycomprising: i. a pushbar located within the hopper compartment andhaving a leading face and a second face and structural supports, all ofwhich together define a pushbar assembly, which pushbar moves between aretracted position and a feeding position with close clearance betweenthe sides of the pushbar and the side walls of the hopper compartment;ii. pusHbar linkage connected to the pushbar and communicating with thejack screw assembly to move the pushbar between its retracted positionand its feeding position; iii. said second face of said pushbar beingexposed to the hopper when the pushbar moves between retracted andfeeding positions; and iiii. a deflector plate mounted within the hoppercompartment, inclined to the horizontal at a substantial angle, therebeing provided a close clearance between the lower edge of the deflectorplate and the second face of the pushbar.